Clara Anne Gundlach

Siskiyou County resident Clara Anne Gundlach passed away peacefully in her sleep on Oct. 2, 2012 at the Madrone Hospice House in Yreka at the age of 93.

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Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

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Posted Oct. 12, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Updated Oct 12, 2012 at 10:52 AM

Posted Oct. 12, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Updated Oct 12, 2012 at 10:52 AM

Siskiyou County resident Clara Anne Gundlach passed away peacefully in her sleep on Oct. 2, 2012 at the Madrone Hospice House in Yreka at the age of 93.

Anne was born on March 7, 1919 in Ferndale, Calif. She was the sixth of eight daughters born to Swiss immigrants Henry and Anna Biasca.

Anne and her sisters grew up on a dairy ranch sharing many special memories from childhood. They always had a close, loving relationship throughout their lives. Anne attended Fortuna Union High School (FUHS) and Humboldt State University then worked for the Pacific Lumber Company in Scotia. While attending FUHS, Anne met Shirley Gundlach. After his return from WW II, they married on Dec. 9, 1944. They lived in Eureka, Bridgeville and Fort Jones. They were blessed with 53 years of marriage, until his death in 1997.

During her life, Anne enjoyed gardening, baking, playing cards and was an avid Giants baseball and 49er football fan. The last five and half years of her life were lived in the care of her family's home where she was surrounded with the love and activity of many of her great-grandchildren. She was a sweet, kind, caring wife and mother, and loving grandmother, whose faith in God gave her peace and strength to the end.

Anne is survived by her children Gregory and Bonnie Gundlach of Fort Jones: Phillip and Amber Gundlach of Carlotta, Calif.; Rita and Jim West of Fresno, Calif.; and Brian and Nina Gundlach of Wasilla, Alaska. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Kimberly (James) Beane of Fort Jones; Jared (Nicole) Gundlach of Rogue River, Ore.; Scott (Roxanne) Gundlach of Seattle, Wash.; Deanna (Tony) Machado of Fortuna, Calif.; Nicole (Alan) Shultz of Fresno, Calif.; Jennifer (Charles) Tharpe of Shasta Lake, Calif.; Robert West of Fort Campbell, Ky.; Becky, Amy and Rachel Gundlach, all of Wasilla, Alaska; and 16 great-grandchildren. She is survived also by her sisters Elma Burns, Mary Bareilles, Evelyn Brom and Hilda Piersall; her brother-in-law Eldon Brom; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Anne was preceded in death by her husband Shirley W. Gundlach; her parents Henry and Anna Biasca; her sisters Lydia Blomquist, Irma Biasca and Ruby McLeod; her brothers-in-law Bruce McLeod, Melvin Bareilles, Arthur Blomquist, Robert Burns and Jack Piersall; as well as her nephew Jack Bareilles.

A memorial mass and celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. on Oct. 20, 2012 at the Sacred Heart Church followed by a reception at the Sacred Heart Church Hall in Fort Jones.

Special thanks to Madrone Hospice in Yreka for their care.

The family requests that any donations be made to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097. Arrangements are under the direction of Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka.